Polk County commissioners refer proposed solid waste transfer franchise to hearings officer

Polk County commissioners on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, directed staff to set a public hearing before Polk County Hearings Officer Leslie Howell to consider an application for a private solid waste transfer franchise.

County staff recommended moving the application to a hearings officer rather than making a board decision at this time. Austin McWeegan, the county’s Community Development Director, and a staff presenter, told commissioners the county has no in‑county disposal options and that most county waste currently goes to Coffin Butte outside Polk County.

The staff report reviewed whether there is a need for a transfer station, the qualifications of the private applicant and potential franchise conditions. The presenter said county planning documents dating to the 1970s identified a need for a local facility and that a landfill is not a viable option today. He also said staff found the applicant met application criteria and that additional franchise conditions would be developed if the hearings officer approves the franchise.

“This is not a decision the board makes at least at this time. It goes before a hearings officer per our code,” the presenter said, adding that he expected a public hearing could occur within about a month if the board moved the process forward.

A commissioner moved to direct staff to set the public hearing before Hearings Officer Leslie Howell to receive the staff recommendation, hear testimony and review evidence; another commissioner seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The board did not make a final decision on the franchise; the hearings officer will accept public testimony and then issue the decision under the county code.

The board packet includes the staff report and background documentation; the presenter encouraged members of the public to review that material for history, rate‑impact analysis and engineering information.